
Is that pawn really free?
In the game, I was white, and I started off with my queens pawn, 1.d4, preparing to play a Jobava-London System. If you want to read more about it, the link is below:
The New London System? - Chess.com
My opponent responded in a typical fashion, play an early a6 to prevent any Nb5 moves, a common plan in the Jobava-London System. I played the system in a standard way, and we got to this position.
Here, I made the only error in the game, with O-O-O. This move is bad, because black gains a space advantage with c4, also kicking the queen. My opponent played this move, and I retreated my queen to e2, preparing a forward push of the e-pawn, breaking open the center.
My opponent then plays Qa4, preparing a battery with Bb4, but it is too slow, since the knight is not in immediate danger. I pushed my e-pawn, and after a couple of exchanges, we reached this position.
I then play c3, kicking the bishop, forcing it to go back to e7. I then proceed to plant my knight on e5. My opponent then castles, which is a mistake, since now the c-pawn is hanging. I missed that however, and play h4, starting a pawn storm.
Question 1: Is the g-pawn hanging?
No, it is not, my opponent took with the queen, which is a huge blunder!
We can now play Rdg1, and black has two options. Surrender the queen, or get checkmated.
My opponent picked the former option.
Question 2:
Find the forced checkmate in this position.
The answer is.....Rxg7!!
Question 3: After kxg7, Qg4+, kh8, Rg1, and Bf6, how does white win here?
The answer is Qg8!! or Nxf7!!. I found the former option, which wins, but the queen sacrifice would have been nicer.
That was an amazing game. If you pieces are active, and you rook is on a half-open g-file, there is probably a mate!
Here is the full game:
I hope you liked this article. See you later!